How long does it take to get your refund?

This is the first year I'm owed a tax refund from both the federal and state government.  I sent my application by mail (H&R Block wouldn't let me submit online with a non resident alien husband) on time.  Does anyone know how long it should take to go into my account?  It's supposed to go into my US account.

Also, sorry that this doesn't have anything to do with the UK taxes as I didn't live in the UK for 2016 at all.  Just thought there might be others who know the timeline of when I should check my account, as I figure some of you would have done the postal route as well.

I haven't filed Federal yet but have filed my Louisiana State* return as it is very simple.

I sent my return via registered post from England, tracked it and saw that it had been delivered on March 20. I received a refund check in the mail here in England on April 27, which is about exactly the timeline I was used to while living in Texas.


*since retiring in 2010 I left Louisiana for Texas and have been non-resident in Louisiana since then. However I do receive a non-qualified pension reported by W2 from my ex-employer in Louisiana, and that requires me paying State taxes on that income. I got my ex-employer to withhold the minimum but I still end up claiming a refund of about $350 every year and if you file by post they won't do a direct bank deposit, hence the paper check. I still have a US bank account and do a mobile check deposit so for me it's not so bad.

Oh, they won't do a direct deposit when submitted by post?  Ugh H&R Block lied to me yet again!  Thanks for the info.

I have no idea how long it takes, but would imagine it depends on what is contained in each return, and what the refund is for.

There is a way to check on progress:

https://www.irs.gov/refunds
 

Oh, they won't do a direct deposit when submitted by post?  Ugh H&R Block lied to me yet again!  Thanks for the info.

Note that my comment was for the Louisiana IRS, I even hand wrote my US bank details but to no avail.

Ah well it's good to know.  I'll just keep an eye out for the check. 

IRS are quite happy to direct deposit...

IRS are quite happy to direct deposit...

But apparently not if you file by post, according to above?  Didn't have a choice about filing by post.

But apparently not if you file by post, according to above?  Didn't have a choice about filing by post.

To repeat again what I said, both of my above posts refer to the Louisiana State return, not the Federal return which I have still to do as a non-resident living in England.

Just to update, both my federal and state ones WERE direct deposited even though research led me to believe it wouldn't be (and H&R block was unclear as to whether it would be allowed with paper filing).  The NY state one took less than a month after being received.  The federal return took 2 months after it was received, so a little longer than they had indicated, but with $6 more than I thought it would be.  The worrying thing there was that it did not show up on the IRS refund status checker online until the day it was approved--didn't say received or anything.  I'm guessing they didn't even open the envelope until they were ready to process it, and they did it immediately.

Just to update, both my federal and state ones WERE direct deposited even though research led me to believe it wouldn't be (and H&R block was unclear as to whether it would be allowed with paper filing).  The NY state one took less than a month after being received.  The federal return took 2 months after it was received, so a little longer than they had indicated, but with $6 more than I thought it would be.  The worrying thing there was that it did not show up on the IRS refund status checker online until the day it was approved--didn't say received or anything.  I'm guessing they didn't even open the envelope until they were ready to process it, and they did it immediately.

Thanks for the update, and great news that the refunds were both timely and deposited into your bank.

My Louisiana refund was a paper check which would be a problem if I didn't have a US bank and could do a mobile deposit. I included my bank details but no luck.  It had to be a paper return as I was residing overseas so I guess they figure paper check refunds are less likely to be cashed in.

Thanks for the update, and great news that the refunds were both timely and deposited into your bank.

My Louisiana refund was a paper check which would be a problem if I didn't have a US bank and could do a mobile deposit. I included my bank details but no luck.  It had to be a paper return as I was residing overseas so I guess they figure paper check refunds are less likely to be cashed in.

That's so annoying! I guess New York doesn't care. We moved a few weeks ago too so I was worried a paper check wouldn't come.